Wensleydale Railway Rail Link Photos

Wensleydale Railway - Photo Archive

February 2024

Photographs

During February lots of work has been going on on the railway, especially by our Engineering Maintenance, Vegetation and Infrastructure teams, trying to make up for time lost during January's bad weather. This month we have:
1. Views at Leeming Bar.
2. Bedale Station café /shop getting ready for the new season.
3. Clearing the bank opposite Bedale station of brambles etc.
4. Some photos of the line beyond Leyburn in the snow.
5. The Infrastructure Group replacing Ainderby crossing and Ainderby Lodge UWC.
6. The Infrastructure Group preparing to replace more rails.
7. The replacement of the fencing at Aiskew crossing continues.
8. Building the foundations for the new food prep kitchen at Leeming Bar.
9. Various photos around Leeming Bar.
10. The restoration of the railway crane continues (see the dedicated page for more photos).
11. The renovation of a Mk2 coach continues (see the dedicated page for more photos).
12. The restoration of the Wickham trolley continues (see the dedicated page for more photos).
13. The Vegetation Team working along the line.

For more recent photos of the continuing restoration of the Wickham Trolley see here and for earlier photos see here.

For more recent photos of the continuing restoration of the Railway Crane see here and for earlier photos see here, here and here.

For recent photos of the continuing restoration of the 0-6-0 tank loco see here and for earlier photos see here

For more photos of the continuing restoration of the Mk2 Coach see here

Ref - 13178

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A view at Leeming Bar showing various items of locos and rolling stock (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13178

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A view at Leeming Bar showing various items of locos and rolling stock (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13179

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A rake of maroon coaches at Leeming Bar (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13158

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Doing some cleaning and sorting out in the Bedale cafe/shop in readiness for the forthcoming season (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13159

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Doing some cleaning and sorting out in the Bedale cafe/shop in readiness for the forthcoming season (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13160

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The bank opposite Bedale station is in the process of being cleared of brambles and shrubs etc. Before we started, the whole of the bank was like the area near the top in the middle of this photo (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13161

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Paul, the station gardener, busy tending his plants (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13162

Photo - Timothy Edwards
This area of the bank is now virtually cleared (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13163

Photo - Timothy Edwards
This area of the bank is now virtually cleared (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13143

Photo - Kev Burnitt
The line just beyond Leyburn in the snow, at a foot crossing.
'Here's hoping customers will soon be enjoying train ride to Wensley and Redmire soon!' (09/02/2024)
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Ref - 13144

Photo - Kev Burnitt
The line just beyond Leyburn in the snow, at a foot crossing.
'Here's hoping customers will soon be enjoying train ride to Wensley and Redmire soon!' (09/02/2024)
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Ref - 13145

Photo - Kev Burnitt
A style on the line just beyond Leyburn in the snow.
'Here's hoping customers will soon be enjoying train ride to Wensley and Redmire soon!' (09/02/2024)
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Ref - 13132

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - Before the work started (12/02/2024)
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Ref - 13133

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - Starting to dig up the area with the help of a JCB (12/02/2024)
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Ref - 13134

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - Starting to dig up the area with the help of a JCB (12/02/2024)
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Ref - 13135

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - New track and sleepers laid over the crossing area (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13136

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - The new track being ballasted (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13137

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - The new track being ballasted (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13138

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - The new track being ballasted and tamped (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13139

Photo - Alastair Connell
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - The new track is complete (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13140

Photo - Nigel Cockburn
Replacement of Ainderby level crossing - The new Polysafe crossing deck panels have been installed (15/02/2024)
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Ref - 13166

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Finished result at Ainderby Gates Level Crossing where the track and crossing deck were completely renewed. View looking north. (16/02/2024)
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Ref - 13167

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Ainderby Gates looking south. (16/02/2024)
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Ref - 13141

Photo - Alastair Connell
The adjacent Ainderby Lodge User Worked Crossing (UWC) before replacement (--/02/2024)
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Ref - 13142

Photo - Alastair Connell
The adjacent Ainderby Lodge User Worked Crossing (UWC) after replacement (19/02/2024)
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Ref - 13168

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Mystery object from the estate of a deceased railway modeller. Powered by 4 AA batteries and no makers name. When turned on by the yellow trigger two small metal blades emerge below the yellow dial with a reciprocating motion similar to a sewing machine. Depending on how hard the tool is pressed down against the curved, sprung thin plastic arm the blades can be made to emerge further. The maximum depth is set by the yellow knob.
Some sort of nibbling device but for what?
Various departments of the Railway have been consulted but so far no one has come up with its purpose.
If you know could you let the Rail Link editor know and put me out of my misery.Thanks (29/02/2024)
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Ref - 13164

Photo - Andy Glendinning
What a difference a few days make. Compare this with photo 12740 in the January monthly section when this was a raging torrent -- now completely dry with the existing pipework being able to take the flow. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13112

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Story Rail Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) hired in to move various materials to the correct position for future engineering works. RRV seen here at on the rails at Peter Blacks Crossing in Leyburn. (05/02/2024)
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Ref - 13113

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) removing it's trailer next to the ballast heaps at Redmire. Rails will be loaded onto the salmon rail wagon behind the RRV. (05/02/2024)
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Ref - 13114

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
23 Flat Bottom Rails were lifted from the lineside and taken to the rail wagon for loading. (05/02/2024)
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Ref - 13150

Photo - Richard Kirk
The fencing gang have continued with replacing fencing around Aiskew level crossing. (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13151

Photo - Richard Kirk
The fencing gang have continued with replacing fencing around Aiskew level crossing. As well as a new fence, two matching lockable gates have been added to allow access to the signal cabin and to a services box. (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13152

Photo - Richard Kirk
The fencing gang have continued with replacing fencing around Aiskew level crossing. As well as a new fence, the services box has had new hinges fitted (19/02/2024)
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Ref - 13153

Photo - Richard Kirk
One side of the road (the side with the signal cabin) is now complete. (26/02/2024)
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Ref - 13154

Photo - Richard Kirk
Works on the other side of the road are underway hampered by difficult ground conditions for digging post holes. (26/02/2024)
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Ref - 13155

Photo - Richard Kirk
Works on the other side of the road are underway hampered by difficult ground conditions for digging post holes. (26/02/2024)
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Ref - 13156

Photo - Richard Kirk
Works on the other side of the road are underway hampered by difficult ground conditions for digging post holes. (26/02/2024)
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Ref - 13157

Photo - Richard Kirk
Works on the other side of the road are underway hampered by difficult ground conditions for digging post holes. (26/02/2024)
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Ref - 13169

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Building the block pillars for the new kitchen unit (to service on-train catering). These are needed to bring it up to the height of the platform, from where the access will be. (06/02/2024)
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Ref - 13170

Photo - Timothy Edwards
This wooden hut had to be moved because it was in the way of the kitchen. This is a temporary location. New foundation in its permanent location are in the process of being installed, between its current location and the gate. (06/02/2024)
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Ref - 13171

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The block pillars for supporting the new kitchen (to service on-train catering) have been constructed and have been wrapped in plastic to keep the weather off them until the cement/concrete has set. (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13173

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The block pillars for supporting the new kitchen (to service on-train catering) are finished and a member of the Direct Works team is sorting out the plumbing. (20/02/2024)
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Ref - 13174

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The view of the location of the new kitchen (to service on-train catering) from the platform, where the access will be. (20/02/2024)
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Ref - 13146

Photo - Mike Averis
The block pillars are to house the new Kitchen (to service on-train catering) and bring it to platform height at Leeming Bar.
Note the fence behind it has been changed with the gate having been moved towards the Crew Room to allow access to the back of the old Goods Shed. (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13147

Photo - Mike Averis
The block pillars are to house the new Kitchen (to service on-train catering) and bring it to platform height at Leeming Bar. The back right pillar shows where the plumbing has been installed for fresh water and drainage and is ready for connection. Mains electricity will also be connected at the left side. (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13148

Photo - Mike Averis
The block pillars are to house the new Kitchen (to service on-train catering) and bring it to platform height at Leeming Bar.
Note the fence behind it has been changed with the gate having been moved towards the Crew Room to allow access to the back of the old Goods Shed. (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13149

Photo - Mike Averis
The wooden shed had to be moved from in the corner to beside the gate onto the platform to make room for the new kitchen. (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13180

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco 37250 in Leeming Bar yard (20/02/2024)
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Ref - 13177

Photo - Timothy Edwards
A ballast spreading hopper wagon in Leeming Bar yard. The hand wheels are for controlling the discharge of ballast during ballasting (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13176

Photo - Timothy Edwards
One of our Pacers have some maintenance carried out on them (06/02/2024)
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Ref - 13175

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The two class 14 'Teddy Bear' locos in the maintenance shed together (06/02/2024)
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Ref - 13196

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Railway Crane restoration - The external panels are getting fitted and painted. Now looking very nice from the rear (20/02/2024)
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Ref - 13188

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Mk.2 coach W14073 is undergoing renovation. New steel plates have been welded into position to replace the cut away rotten metalwork (27/02/2024)
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Ref - 13206

Photo - Timothy Edwards
The control panel for the Wickham trolley has been fitted into position and is being wired up (13/02/2024)
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Ref - 13108

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The veg team working between Bridge 28 and 29 west of Leyburn. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13109

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The vegetation team at work between Bridge 28 and 29. The sun is shining on them here and they didn't see much of that in February. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13110

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The veg team working at the top of an embankment near Br 29. They've just cleared the area in the foreground. Sometimes it's surprising just how wide our railway perimeters are. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13111

Photo - Sue Threadgold
Making the most of a decent day's weather, the veg team taking a break between Leyburn and Wensley. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13165

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Lunch time for the Veg Gang between Bridges 28 & 29 west of Leyburn. (07/02/2024)
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Ref - 13115

Photo - Alan Graham
Working with the veg team at any time of year is a great way to admire views and lighting conditions you wouldn't see otherwise. This is Pen Hill taken from Leyburn cemetery where we'd parked up, and this was at 3pm during packing up. Our railway runs along the tree line. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13124

Photo - Alan Graham
The vegetation team clearing out a drainage gully west of Leyburn They've already cleared most of the vegetation on both sides of the background in support of P-Way engineers who are carrying out improvement works to help trains to begin running on this section again. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13116

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The veg team working at Constable Burton. (10/01/2024)
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Ref - 13117

Photo - Bill Briggs
Lunchtime for some of the vegetation team near Constable Burton. (10/01/2024)
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Ref - 13118

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The vegetation team tidying up an overgrown embankment west of Constable Burton. (17/01/2024)
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Ref - 13119

Photo - Alan Graham
A really wet day west of Leyburn for this advance party of the veg team, turning up for work between Bridge 28 and 29. You've got to be keen and have the right PPE, turning up for these sort of days when its absolutely "hooring down", as we say in this part of the world. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13120

Photo - Alan Graham
Two keen members of the vegetation team who have braved the weather and are taking shelter from the rain beneath a bridge whilst awaiting instructions and a briefing from the PICOW in advance of the day's work ahead. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13121

Photo - Alan Graham
"I hear the Ghost Train rumbling along the track... So sang Madness, and it does look as if it may indeed emerge from the gloom beneath Bridge 29 on a foggy February day. Hopefully it won't be too long before trains do rumble through here on this disused section to Redmire. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13122

Photo - Alan Graham
Some of the vegetation team seeking out a sheltered spot for lunch on a wet February day west of Leyburn. This bridge carries a muddy grass farm track. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13123

Photo - Alan Graham
A member of the vegetation team clears out a lineside ditch gully to keep flows moving. (14/02/2024)
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Ref - 13125

Photo - Steve Hall
A member of the vegetation team working in tricky conditions between Bridges 28 and 29 west of Leyburn. (21/02/2024)
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Ref - 13126

Photo - Alan Graham
A vegetation team chainsaw operator working on a steep slope west of Leyburn. (21/02/2024)
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Ref - 13127

Photo - Sue Threadgold
Using a rope to help ensure a felled tree comes down where it's meant to. The vegetation team working near Newton Le Willows, between Fox Park one/two and UWC Lynas. (28/02/2024)
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Ref - 13131

Photo - Sue Threadgold
A tree falling down after being cut by the vegetation team. The vegetation team working near Newton Le Willows, between Fox Park one/two and UWC Lynas.
The Vegetation Team's work is - Not quite ..... "Let the train ............." but "Let the Veg Team take the strain" !! (28/02/2024)
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Ref - 13128

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The veg team's felled tree ready for cutting up. The vegetation team working near Newton Le Willows, between Fox Park one/two and UWC Lynas. (28/02/2024)
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Ref - 13129

Photo - Sue Threadgold
Tidying up is an essential part of the job for all teams who work trackside. Here, two members of the vegetation team take a well earned rest after clearing up an unruly embankment. The vegetation team working near Newton Le Willows, between Fox Park one/two and UWC Lynas. (28/02/2024)
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Ref - 13130

Photo - Sue Threadgold
The best time of day is probably lunchtime for the veg team when it's not raining. Here the veg team are making the most of a dry and mild day to enjoy roast potatoes straight from the heat of the bonfire. (28/02/2024)
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